NAVA leader pleads guilty in extremism trial

The trial of activist Luke Steele started today (Tuesday), and UAR have learned that he has pleaded guilty to some of the charges levelled at him, including harassment. The trial was expected to last several weeks but has now been adjourned.

Steele is the head of the National Anti-Vivisection Alliance (NAVA), and is known as half of the ‘Harlan two’ along with Jonathan White, who was also on trial. The pair have led repeated protests in the midlands targeting Harlan Laboratories. Last year, he was convicted of ‘conspiracy to interfere with a contractual relationship’, relating to activities surrounding a farm that supplies rabbits to research facilities.

Addendum:

On 17 July 2012, at Birmingham Crown Court, Luke Steele admitted to:

1. "Interference with contractual relationships so as to harm animal research organisation"

2. "Intimidate persons connected with animal research organisation"

3. "Failure to disclose key to protected information"

Ten days later he was sentenced to a total of 18 months including the 6 months already served on remand.